Ex-CM Jayalalithaa’s Seized Assets Handed Over to Tamil Nadu Govt
In a significant development, the seized belongings in the disproportionate assets case of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa have been officially handed over to the state government. The assets, which include valuable gold and silver items, as well as documents related to a significant amount of land, were returned to the government after a prolonged legal battle.
The assets, which were seized by the Income Tax Department in 2017, include over 27 kg of gold jewellery, 1,116 kg of silver, and documents related to 1,526 acres of land. The list of returned items also includes a few unique and valuable pieces, such as a 1.2 kg gold waist belt and a 1.5 kg gold sword.
The handover of the assets comes after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the return of the seized belongings to the Tamil Nadu government. In its judgment, the court ruled that the assets were not tainted and were, therefore, not subject to the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The move is seen as a significant victory for the Tamil Nadu government, which had been seeking the return of the seized assets since 2017. The government had argued that the assets were not ill-gotten and were, therefore, not subject to seizure.
The assets were seized by the Income Tax Department in 2017 after Jayalalithaa’s death, following a disproportionate assets case that had been filed against her during her tenure as Chief Minister. The case was filed by the Income Tax Department, which alleged that Jayalalithaa had accumulated wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income.
The seizure of the assets led to a prolonged legal battle, with the Tamil Nadu government challenging the seizure in the court. The case was eventually taken up by the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the government, clearing the way for the return of the seized assets.
The return of the assets is seen as a significant development for the Tamil Nadu government, which is seeking to revamp its image and improve its financial situation. The government has been facing a significant financial crisis, with a debt of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore.
The government has also been seeking to improve its image, which was tarnished by the allegations of corruption against Jayalalithaa and her regime. The return of the seized assets is seen as a significant step towards improving the government’s image and restoring public trust.
The returned assets, including the gold and silver jewellery, as well as the land documents, have been handed over to the Tamil Nadu government by the Income Tax Department. The government has accepted the assets and has reportedly started the process of auctioning them off to raise funds.
The auctioning of the assets is expected to generate significant revenue for the government, which is seeking to reduce its debt and improve its financial situation. The government has also announced plans to use the revenue generated from the auction to fund its various development projects.
In conclusion, the handover of the seized assets of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa to the state government is a significant development. The return of the assets, which include valuable gold and silver items, as well as documents related to a significant amount of land, is seen as a significant victory for the Tamil Nadu government.
The move is expected to improve the government’s image and restore public trust, which was tarnished by the allegations of corruption against Jayalalithaa and her regime. The auctioning of the assets is also expected to generate significant revenue for the government, which is seeking to reduce its debt and improve its financial situation.
